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By Akiva Van Koningsveld

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal, according to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

“This epic ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our historic victory in November, as it signaled to the entire world that my administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies,” Trump stated on Wednesday.

“I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” he added, noting that his national security team, through the efforts of Steve Witkoff, his nominee for special Middle East envoy, “will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to make sure Gaza never again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”

“We will continue promoting peace through strength throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the historic Abraham Accords,” Trump stated. “This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the world.”

An Israeli source told the country’s Channel 12 News that the Palestinian terrorist group committed to the deal in writing, and Al Jazeera reported that a Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, delivered the formal approval to mediators in Doha and Cairo.

Hamas stated that it “acted with responsibility and a positive attitude” in its response to the latest proposals in Doha.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that it had started preparations for the return of the hostages, dubbing the operation “Wings of Freedom.”

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Al Thani confirmed the deal at a press conference in Doha. He said it would go into effect on Sunday and expressed hope that it would lead to a permanent truce.

Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement that “the mediators will remain in constant and continuous contact with the two parties to the conflict to exchange lists of prisoners and detainees, and to ensure that the exchange process is carried out in a safe and smooth manner.”

U.S. President Joe Biden said the deal would “halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”

“I laid out the precise contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was endorsed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council,” stated the outgoing president. “My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.”

Preparations are reportedly underway in Jerusalem to convene the Security Cabinet, which consists of senior ministers, and the full government to approve the agreement on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that he is cutting his diplomatic visit to Europe short and will return to Jerusalem on Wednesday night “to participate in the expected discussions and votes in the Security Cabinet and government.”

Israeli coalition whip Miki Zohar, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party who also serves as sports minister, urged fellow ministers to vote in favor of the agreement on Wednesday night.

“There is no greater commandment than redeeming captives and there is nothing greater than saving lives,” Zohar wrote on X. “Now that Israel has secured the conditions for the security of IDF soldiers and Israeli citizens, it is a duty for each government minister to vote in favor.”

As the news of the deal unfolded, Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office announced that the head of state held a meeting with International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.

The NGO previously helped provide transportation services during the November 2023 ceasefire, during which Hamas released 105 hostages.

“The Red Cross team briefed the President on the preparations for the transfer of the hostages and the various challenges they face,” Herzog’s office stated, adding that the president “emphasized the utmost importance and sensitivity of this mission.”

In a subsequent address to the nation, Herzog urged the Cabinet and the government of Israel to green-light the ceasefire agreement “and approve it when presented—bringing our sons and daughters home.”

“As the president of the State of Israel, I say in the clearest terms: This is the right move. This is an important move. This is a necessary move. There is no greater moral, human, Jewish, or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back to us—whether to recover at home, or to be laid to rest,” said Herzog.

The Wall Street Journal reported that mediators ironed out the deal terms on Tuesday night but awaited Hamas’s approval. The Journal reported, citing Arab sources, that Mohammed Sinwar, the de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza, gave his “in principle” approval to the terms of the deal.

Sinwar’s agreement reportedly came mere hours after Hamas publicly announced for the first time that negotiations were in their “final stages.”

The parties agreed to a six-week initial ceasefire phase that includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages in exchange for Palestinian terrorists held in Israeli prisons, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters on Wednesday.

The first stage will reportedly see the release of 33 hostages, including all women, children and men over 50. Talks on the second phase will begin 16 days after the implementation. This phase is reportedly expected to conclude with the release of all remaining living hostages, a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

The third and last phase is expected to address the return of the bodies and the start of reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip under the auspices of Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

Hamas is holding 98 hostages, 94 of whom were taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and four of whom were captured in 2014, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Thirty-six are deceased, including two from 2014 (Israeli Defense Forces Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul).

Source: JNS